Techstars Update - October 2024

Oct 31, 2024
Featured

Capital + Programs + Connection = Opportunity

Techstars connects unstoppable founders, wherever they are, with capital, programs, and connections to open up opportunities. See what we were up to in October.

In review:

10 new investments

15 portfolio companies secured funding

7 upcoming Demo Days

13 upcoming Techstars Community events

Capital

Each year we select hundreds of companies to join one of our 3-month, mentorship-driven accelerators, investing $120K and providing hands-on mentorship and access to the Techstars network.

Portfolio Companies

Since 2006, Techstars has invested in 4,400+ companies. Our founder-first philosophy has connected us with startups across a range of verticals, linking them to a network of successful mentors and partners. Meet the latest Techstars portfolio companies:

Techstars Atlanta Powered by Cox Enterprises

Switch | Hearthmates | DressyClub | Honey to Cocoa | Liquid Hair Institute | StageWing | Stork Exchange | Nourish and Bloom Technologies | Aayats | BetterCEO

Partnerships

Our mission is to enable everyone to contribute to and benefit from, entrepreneurs’ success. By connecting entrepreneurs with corporations and organizations around the globe, we can drive innovation and solve the world’s largest problems. Meet the newest organization supporting Techstars founders:

Paul Hastings is a global law firm that offers comprehensive legal expertise to support founders from formation through all stages of growth. Paul Hastings represents companies and investors in nearly 60 countries around the world and specializes in areas such as corporate, venture capital, intellectual property, mergers & acquisitions, capital markets, litigation, and employment. By representing both early and late-stage companies and investors, Paul Hastings has a unique view on the challenges and opportunities that early-stage companies face and what it takes for them to fundraise, scale and successfully exit by M&A or IPO. Through the PH Ignite Program, Techstars startups have access to a suite of offerings such as no cost company formation and setup, proprietary form documents, fee deferrals and fee capped financings.

Programs

Techstars accelerators have one goal: to help entrepreneurs succeed. We believe that great entrepreneurs and startups are everywhere but opportunity is not evenly distributed, which is why we continue to launch programs worldwide.

During each three-month program, we surround companies with the best mentors and an unrivaled network of corporate partners, investors, and alumni. We provide funding and fundraising opportunities, workshops, and curated resources, not to mention countless moments where you can learn from your peers. It’s a proven model that has helped build thousands of successful companies.

Applications

Learn more about our accelerator programs where founders gain funding, mentorship, and access to the Techstars network. The following programs are accepting applications:

Build in Tulsa Techstars Accelerator

Northwestern Medicine & Techstars Healthcare Accelerator

Techstars AI Health Baltimore powered by Johns Hopkins University and CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield

Techstars Anywhere Accelerator

Techstars Columbus powered by The Ohio State University

Techstars London Accelerator

Techstars New York City Accelerator

Techstars San Francisco

Techstars Web3 Accelerator

Techstars Workforce Development Accelerator

USC and Techstars Digital Economy Program

Techstars Transformative World Torino

Apply for these programs by November 20, 2024.

Demo Days

Techstars accelerator programs culminate with a celebration at Demo Day. This is each company’s chance to show the world how much progress they’ve made in just a few short months. Investors can learn more about our latest investments and portfolio companies by registering for a Techstars program’s virtual or in-person Demo Day event. See our upcoming Demo Day events:

Techstars Tokyo Accelerator

November 12 | Tokyo

Techstars Atlanta Powered by J.P. Morgan

November 13 | NYC

Techstars New Orleans powered by J.P. Morgan

November 13 | NYC

Build in Tulsa Techstars Accelerator

November 21 | Tulsa

Techstars Columbus Powered by The Ohio State University

December 4 | Columbus

Techstars Detroit powered by J.P. Morgan

December 5 | Detroit

Techstars Physical Health Fort Worth

December 11 | Fort Worth

Connection

Events & Pre-Accelerator Activity

We believe that while people and ideas are equally distributed, opportunity and resources are not. That is why we are committed to increasing access to entrepreneurship — all over the world.

Founder Catalyst

Founder Catalyst is a pre-accelerator program providing early-stage entrepreneurs with invaluable startup education and mentorship. This part-time, primarily virtual experience is perfectly suited for founders looking to hone their entrepreneurial skills, better understand their target customers, and dig deeply into refining the solutions they are offering the world.

To learn more about Founder Catalyst, click here.

Startup Weekend & Startup Week

Startup Weekend is a three-day program where aspiring entrepreneurs can experience startup life in hundreds of cities worldwide. Startup Week is a celebration of entrepreneurship and the people shaping the startup community in your city. See our November community events:

Techstars Startup Weekend Mobility Chapecó

November 1-4, 2024

Techstars Startup Weekend Social Innovation Skopje

November 1-4, 2024

Techstars Startup Week Sustainability Rio Verde

November 1-4, 2024

Techstars Startup Weekend Fort Worth

November 15-17, 2024

Techstars Startup Weekend Lisbon

November 15-17, 2024

Techstars Startup Weekend Women El Salvador

November 15-17, 2024

Techstars Startup Weekend Women Guatemala

November 15-17, 2024

Techstars Startup Weekend Pensacola

November 15-18, 2024

Techstars Startup Weekend Sevilla

November 15-18, 2024

Techstars Startup Weekend Uni Saarbrücken

November 15-18, 2024

Techstars Startup Weekend Bari

November 22-25, 2024

Techstars Startup Weekend Dakar

November 28-December 1, 2024

Techstars Startup Weekend Health Lages

November 29-December 2, 2024

For a full list of upcoming Techstars Community events, click here.

Virtual Events

Techstars hosts a variety of virtual events throughout the year for entrepreneurs. View our upcoming events below:

Cap Tables 101: Overview of What You Need to Know

November 5 | 11 am ET

Techstars Workforce Development Accelerator Virtual Meet and Greet

November 6 | 1 pm ET

Unlocking Startup Growth - Join Techstars Torino, Arcanys Ventures, and our Alumni

November 12 | 12 pm ET

Techstars Application Deadline: Last Chance AMA

November 12 | 1 pm ET

Techstars Virtual Meet and Greet

November 19 | 1 pm ET

For a full list of upcoming Techstars virtual events, click here.

Industry Events

Techstars staff attend many prominent industry events, including:

AcceleratorCON

November 8 | New York City

Opportunity

The Techstars worldwide network helps entrepreneurs succeed. Check out the October fundraising news from the Techstars portfolio.

Fundraising News

Kenyan social commerce startup Chpter (Techstars 2023) raises $1.2M in pre-seed funding.

Sportstech startup Str8bat (Techstars 2020) raises $3.5M from Exfinity Venture Partners and others.

Penny Finance (Techstars 2023), on a mission to close the wealth gap, raises $1M seed round.

Rezilient Health (Techstars 2020), a leading tech-enabled healthcare company, announces a $10M Series A funding round.

Budapest-based Voovo (Techstars 2024) raises €500K pre-seed to scale microlearning in education.

Toronto startup Unified.to (Techstars 2023) closes $1.1M CAD in pre-seed funding to help AI SaaS companies launch API integrations.

Molg (Techstars 2022) raises $5.5M in seed funding to tackle electronics waste through circular manufacturing.

Aware Health (Techstars 2022) secures $3M in seed funding to expand value-based musculoskeletal solutions.

EnviCore (Techstars 2021) successfully closes a $4.2M CAD seed round to scale low-carbon cementitious technology.

Klasha (Techstars 2018) secures $2M in additional funding to expand cross-border payments between Asia and Africa.

Healthie (Techstars 2016), an API-first EHR, scheduling, and engagement platform, raises $23M in Series B funding.

Sensei (Techstars 2017) reels in $16M to expand its contactless store platform in Europe.

Auquan (Techstars 2018) raises $4.5M to automate deep work in finance with AI.

Bifrost (Techstars 2020) raises $8M in a Series A to help industrials speed up model training with its 3D data generation platform.

MealMe (Techstars 2020), the startup integrating food ordering tech into apps, picks up $8M.

Other News

BizWest: Techstars returning to Boulder with locally owned startup accelerator

Denver Business Journal: Techstars revives Boulder accelerator, with a twist

Tech In Africa: Launch Africa, Techstars, and 54 Collective Lead VC Activity in African Market for H1 2024

Forbes Australia: Female founders forced to wear ‘concrete boots,’ funding still ‘appallingly low’

Columbus Business First: Columbus Opportunity: Why Columbus is primed for success as a tech hotspot

TechBullion: The Philanthropic Efforts of Chicago’s Tech Leaders

Crain’s New York Business: Op-ed - New York is the best place to build companies for applied AI

Modern Healthcare: 5 VCs on the election and digital health investing

Columbus Business Journal: What Techstars founders from Los Angeles and Nova Scotia think about Columbus